-- In His Strength: September 2009 www.superfluousbanter.org

In His Strength

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength --- Philippians 4:13

Monday, September 28, 2009

Journey

God has been taking me on an interesting journey these past few months since being back here in Southern California. Looking back on life since May, its been unbelievable the things that have transpired. From utter confusion as to where my life was going , loud protests as to where life was taking me adn where I thought it should BE going, I now find myself falling on my face in total surrender, asking Him to lead the way.
Even though I have not had success at finding a place of my own yet, life at my cousins has been great, and God has met me there too. We've been a tremendous encouragement to eachother. She's been helping me find things to do; volunteering at various preschools, getting involved in the singles group at church, I help watch her three-year-old neice, and we watch my 2nd cousin play football on Friday nights at my alma mater, Granite Hills High School (GO EAGLES!!!)
SKyline Wesleyan church is where I am going on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. I have visited in times past; a childhood frind invited me to her wednesday night childrens ministry, we would watch the Livign Christmas Tree put on by the Skyline choir. Even thougth it is a Wesleyan denomination, I have found it similiar to Christiam Life Center, an Assemblies of God (what i was born andraised in). I have visited churches I went to in the past, even the one I was born and raised in, but diddnt feel either was for me anymore. As the Good Lord wills, I long to become moreinvolved in the childrens ministry, possibly the choir sonewhere down the road. The Wednesday night singles group is going through a 'Boundaries' book series. When I first started, the topic/book was 'Boundaries in Dating'. Wasn't sure what to think of it at first. After all not having ever dated (except maybe a blind date set up by two mutual friends, Awekward!) I wasnt quite sure if it was something God had for me. Now we seem to have put that aside and are going through the first book of teh series 'Boundaries'. I am getting more from this one, although I wouldnt mind continuing with the other one too (sheepish grin). The pastors messages have been a true blessing in this season. One series was on Story, while now He's preaching on the Covenant.
Identity. its a word that has been sticking in my mind for some time now. I guess I have been rying to find out who I am. Since three years ago when my world was turned upside down by numerous circumstances and so may people trying to tell me what they saw best for me---and getting frustrated in the process, hurting people along the way because i could not adequately describe what was going on in my head, so it came out in anger and confusion instead. Gods grace is truly amazing. I have been truly leaning on Him for strength a I get through this rollercoaster of a season I find myslef in. And little blessings are popping up everywhere! Communication with family members has been fairly smooth (whoa!, it could still use some work, but its a growing process. A Montana friend (if your reading this you know who you are, a HUGE THANKYOU!!!) gave me an encouraging word about identity, and it has blessed me immeasurably. I go back and read his fb comment often :).

One final note, those poppers I made for biblestudy a few days ago? Yeah, HUGE hit! At least eight comments.
Pictures soon!

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Sunday, September 06, 2009

Prayer - Pastor Ed Noble

Visited my cousins church, Journey, today. Worship was okay, but the message was fantastic. Throughout his message on prayer, I starred points that really spoke to me. LOL! I looked back after the message and saw that I had starred every single point he made!

OUR PRAYER: Lord, teach us to pray

....invitaion to walk a little ways toward a new normal

BIG POINT OF THE WEEKEND - Prayers true self is rel=vealed wehn we enjoy ...we cant stop learning, or relearning 'til we are there.

COACH US UP: Luke 11 (5&6)
Lord's Prayer

Shamelessness - Bring your real self, your whole self
never pretend with God

Luke 11:7&8 - persistence
barefaced, audacity, shamelessness

Body
Imaginagination
Intellect
Emotions - cant but must be there
Bring the WHOLE Package

HEART - Avoid the danger of losing heart (Luke 18:1)
ask
seek
knock
EVERYONE who asks receives..... - Luke 11:9&10

I have what I have to love God with

Ask God to move

Problem side - Dissappointment, unbelief, ignorance
Solution side - Togetherness and focus

Reminder: You have to fight for Joy/happiness

Holy Spirit - Something done TO you more than BY you
Luke 11:11-13

God gives GOOD gifts

Fire (passion, intensity) Spiritual gifts
Spiritual Longing Healing
Taking us deeper Leading/Prompting

God delights to give us Himself so we can share his delights
Delight yourself in the law of the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
~Psalm 37:4

Often, we must stand under the unimaginable mysteries of God
Richard Foster

GOD, give us what we really, ultimately need - You!

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